Co Thach Pagoda, in Binh Thuan, is not only a famous landmark with a sacred pagoda located in a special position, but also attracts tourists with the amazing beauty of Co Thach beach (seven-colored rock beach), the impressive beauty of the green moss season, and the bustle of the rustic fishing village and fresh seafood dishes.
If you are a fan of spiritual tourism and love stunning natural landscapes, don’t hesitate any longer and start your journey to explore the scenic Co Thach Pagoda.
General information about Co Thach Pagoda
Co Thach Pagoda (Vietnamese: chùa Cổ Thạch) is located in Co Thach Tourist Area in Lien Huong Commune, Lam Dong Province. Co Thach means “ancient stone.” The pagoda is formed from giant natural rocks with unusual shapes, stacked on top of one another to create mysterious caves, which is why local people call it Hang Pagoda (Cave Pagoda).
The pagoda is part of the natural rocky mountain complex in Lam Dong Province, nestled among large rocks, adjacent to a long, wild, and peaceful beach.
This is a spiritual tourist destination with a charming and poetic landscape that attracts millions of visitors each year. The Buddhist architectural complex was built on a mountainside at an elevation of about 64m above sea level, near caves covering an area of more than 2,000 square meters. Located adjacent to the sea to the Southeast, with mountains and forests bordering the remaining three sides, the pagoda impresses with its highly sacred “mountain facing the water” terrain.
The most appropriate times to visit Co Thach Pagoda are in March of the solar calendar and in August of the lunar calendar. Because it is located in the Co Thach tourist area, you can visit the pagoda and experience moss hunting at the beautiful rocky beaches here in March.
The lunar August period is when the most important and exciting festivals in this land take place, including the Mid-Autumn Festival (the 13th) and the Nghinh Ong Festival (the 16th to 18th). Co Thach Pagoda opening hours: From 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily.
What makes the Co Thach Pagoda so attractive?
To date, more than 170 years after its construction, this pagoda continues to preserve Sino-Vietnamese cultural heritage, including horizontal panels and precious ancient documents. Among them, a giant bell and thunder drums are heritage dating back to the early 19th century.
The architecture of Co Thach Pagoda is considered unique. The shrines and cups were built consecutively on a 64m-high rocky hill and span more than 4 hectares.
Co Thach Pagoda has a unique, pristine beauty, set atop the mountains and hills. With thousands of stone slabs and mysterious caves, looming in the mist like a fairyland, everyone who comes to Lam Dong must visit. The road to the pagoda is clear and lined with many shady trees, but it is a bit winding and difficult.
With 36 steps connected by stone slabs. At the foot of the stairs are a pair of winding dragons on both sides made of cement. To welcome visitors to the pagoda for pilgrimage.
The path to the pagoda slopes gently, winding along the hillside and lined with cool green trees.
This pagoda is located on a rocky mountain complex, which also features many notable caves. Taking advantage of this terrain, Zen masters used it as a place of worship.
In each cave at Co Thach Pagoda, a Buddha, Bodhisattva or a monk has passed away. Here, there is a cave of the patriarch – the person who established this pagoda. Inside, in addition to the statue worshiping the patriarch, there are also tablets with merits in building the pagoda.
Many shrines were built between large rocks or in natural caves.
Next to that is the cave worshiping Cundi (Buddhism). In this cave, there is an 8-armed Buddha statue and many other ancient statues. In another cave, Zen masters used to worship 23 ancient Buddha statues of many different sizes and ages.
The works in the pagoda are all delicately and meticulously designed with images of the “Four Spirits”: Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle, Phoenix on roofs and pillars, bold features of Buddhist architecture.
The main hall is nestled in a natural rocky mountain complex, next to which are the meditation houses, ancestral houses, bell towers, and drum towers…. bringing a new, wild beauty to the pagoda.
Each cave in the pagoda has its own beauty. To worship a deceased Buddha, Bodhisattva or monk. Especially monk Bao Tang – the person who gave birth to the temple that anyone entering will immediately feel the sacredness and mystery.
The rocks around the pagoda and shrine are painted with paintings depicting the lives of Buddha and Bodhisattvas
Notes when visiting Co Thach Pagoda
- There are no hotels here, only small and unplanned motels, so pilgrims can only use dormitory rooms.
- Visitors should wear discreet, polite attire; avoid intimate gestures, talking or laughing loudly, smoking, or drinking beer.
- Tourist spots nearby: Ke Ga Cape, Sand dunes, Fishing village in Mui Ne, Fairy Stream (Suoi Tien), Van Thuy Tu, Duc Thanh School,…
Source: collected by An
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